MARGAO: A group of toddy tappers has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of action taken by authorities regarding the alleged ‘fake association’, prompting them to appeal for the intervention of the Chief Minister. The group has also initiated steps to address the issuance of fraudulent caste certificates.
Led by Mario Coutinho, the toddy tappers met CM Pramod Sawant at Panjim on Tuesday and made claims that several local elected leaders secured their positions by presenting counterfeit caste certificates.
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The District Registrar/Inspector General of Societies recently declared all caste certificates issued by the All-Goa Toddy Tappers Association (AGTDA) null and void due to the association’s failure to renew its registration. Responding to this order, a group comprising toddy tappers and their family members demanded that the association cease its operations. Consequently, elected officials who relied on caste certificates issued by the association during their successful local body election campaigns may face difficulties. The toddy tappers have also raised concerns about the association’s functioning and accused its members of misusing funds.
A spokesperson explained that the association was initially established in 1965 as the All Goa Toddy Tappers Employees Association. However, since 2010, caste certificates have been issued under the name of the All-Goa Toddy Tappers Association, utilising the registration number of the original association.
Remmy Borges, acting President, defended the actions of previous office bearers, stating that they were unaware of the renewal process and that no deliberate misconduct had taken place. “All caste certificates issued to the concerned applicants were well-intentioned and not fraudulent. The discrepancy in the association’s name was a technical error,” Borges clarified.
